Former Wests Tigers skipper Woods is one of several key changes at the Bulldogs, with Kiwi half Kieran Foran also among a host of new recruits for 2018.

However, with such wholesale personnel changes at the club, Woods downplayed an immediate return to finals footy for the Dogs in 2018, but remained confident his new team has what it takes to restore pride in the blue and white jersey after a disappointing 2017 season.

“I’m not going to make any bold statements and look like an idiot," Woods said.

“We're just going to work hard for each other and play the footy that we know we can, and we want to get fans coming to the games and getting excited to watch the Bulldogs play.”